In this richly illustrated book, two widely recognised specialists on Velzquez-one an art historian, the other a conservation scientist - combine their expertise to show exactly how Spain's most famous painter realised his artistic vision. In a fascinating analysis of thir vorks by Velzquez that span his entire career, the authors then examine how the artist devised the techniques.

Great painters are invariably great technicians.In creating the techniques he needed to express his ideas, Velzquez became one of the most original practitioners of the art of painting ever known. In this richly illustrated book, two widely recognised specialists on Velzquez-one an art historian, the other a conservation scientist - combine their expertise to show exactly how Spain's most famous painter realised his artistic vision. In a fascinating analysis of thir vorks by Velzquez that span his entire career, the authors then examine how the artist devised the techniques to expr his ideas and how these changed over time. More than two hundred photographs of details of Velzquez's paintings vividly demonstrate how the artist realised his vision of man and nature through a highly allusive, economical manner of painting. This pathbreaking exploration of Velzquez's technical achievement reveals as never before the miracle of the creative process of one of the world's greatest masters.

Velfizquez: An Introduction to his Life and Career

onatban Brown

Genius at Work: Velfizquez's Materials and Technique

Carmen Garrido

1.Adoration of the Magi

2.Philip IV

3.The Feast of Bacchus

4.Joseph's Coat Brought to Jacob

5.TheForge of Vulcan

6.The Villa Medici Grotto-Loggia Fagade

7.Pavilion of Cleopatra-Ariadne

8.The Temptation of St Thomas Aquinas

9.Christ on the Cross

10.Equestrian Portrait of Philip IV

11.Baltasar Carlos on Horseback

12.The Surrender of Breda

13.Pablo de Valladolid

14."Don Juan de Austria"

15.St Anthony Abbot Visits St Paul the Hermit

16.Equestrian Portrait of Count-Duke Olivares

17.Coronation of the Virgin

18.Philip IV as Hunter

19.Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand as Hunter

20.Baltasar Carlos as Hunter

21."Francisco tezcano"

22.Diego de Acedo, E1 Primo

23.Juan Calabazas

24.Menippus

25.Aesop

26.Mars

27.Mariana of Austria

28.Las Meninas

29.Fable of Arachne

3o.Mercury and Argus

Bibliography